Bible v. Levy

107 N.Y.S. 607

• Court: Appellate Terms of the Supreme Court of New York
• Decided: December 12, 1907
• Status: Published

Opinion

PER CURIAM.

The plaintiff agreed to furnish to defendant one show case, one table, five mirrors, and one cash desk, all to be delivered on October 1, 1906. The mirrors and cash desk were delivered on October 8th, and the show case and the table on October 24th. The agreed price was $675, of which $300 have been paid. Plaintiff sued for the balance, and obtained a judgment therefor with interest and costs. Defendant appeals.

The defense is that the failure to deliver the goods within the specified time prevented the defendant from doing business, and put him to a loss of $500, and he counterclaims $125, being the difference between the claim of plaintiff and the damages sustained by defendant. There is no doubt that time was of the essence of this contract, and that plaintiff knew at the time the order was given that it was most important for defendant to have the goods as soon as possible, as he needed them before he could. commence to carry on his business. It seems that plaintiff on October 12th loaned defendant some similar articles, until plaintiff had supplied the articles ordered; but the acceptance of this loan can hardly be regarded as a waiver of the defendant’s right to damages for breach of contract as to the time limit, which had already expired, although such loan may be an element to be considered on the question of assessing defendant’s damages for the said breach of contract. Whether defendant proved his full claim for damages or not, it is certain that he proved some damage, which should have been offset against plaintiff’s claim.

The judgment should be reversed, and a new trial granted, with costs to appellant to abide the event.